Lanes wins the UKSTT renovation award

Lanes won the United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology’s renovation award at the 15th annual UKSTT dinner and awards ceremony on 24 April.
The industry accolade was presented for Lanes’ no dig rehabilitation of a pressurised main sewer beneath the Conwy Bridge in North Wales — a project thought to be the first of its type in the UK.

Years of wear and tear meant that the 300mm diameter pipeline was developing holes and leaks. Mussel shells being pumped through from a nearby treatment plant had acted as an abrasive on the inside of the pipe, and there was external erosion caused by bird guano. Unless the situation was tackled quickly, there was a danger of substantial amounts of sewerage leaking into the estuary.

As Conwy Bridge forms part of a busy road route into the town however, using traditional excavation and repair methods to fix the pipe would mean major traffic disruption. There would also be serious cost implications: traditional replacement of the pressurised main was estimated at several hundred thousand pounds. Utility company, Dwr Cymru, needed a quick and cost-effective solution, so trenchless technology was identified as the way forward.

However, whereas renovation of this kind would not normally present a problem, Andrew Brierley, MD of Lanes’ Sewer Renovation division, explained that it was no straightforward pipe reline:

“The main was suspended beneath the bridge, around 200 feet above the estuary. To add to the complexity, the pipe changed shape midway along, from circular to ‘box’ and back to circular again, and featured 45 degree bends for some 23 metres.”

Thanks to Lanes’ installation expertise, the specification of material capable of withstanding the internal pressure of the vacuum in a rising main, and the use of steam to cure the liner, the 174-metre pipeline was renovated for a fraction of the price and with minimum disruption to traffic — and all within just 12 hours!

Both Dwr Cymru and the Lanes’ reline team were delighted with the success of the project — and with the UKSTT award.

MD Andy feels that Lanes should be ‘justly proud’ of winning:

“This UKSTT award is commendation for sixteen years of hard work and recognition for bringing real innovation to the industry. It’s a tremendous achievement for Lanes as a Group, and for the reline team.”

Steve Kent, chairman of UKSTT, added:

“The quantity — and quality — of the submissions we receive for UKSTT awards is increasing each year, so the competition is ever more fierce. Lanes, and the other 2009 winners, deserve real credit for their impressive accomplishments in the field of trenchless technology.”